Bamberg Cathedral is one of the country's imperial cathedrals. It is located near the Old Town Hall and is considered the symbol of the city. At the very beginning of its history, there were fortifications on the site of the cathedral, which were converted into a basilica by order of King Henry II in 1004. In 1007 the diocese of Bamberg was created, this was done specifically to promote the spread of Christianity in these lands.
In 1012 the cathedral was consecrated, but in 1081 it suffered a major fire, the restoration work was completed only in 1111. The trials for the temple did not end there, 74 years later it had to endure another fire, as a result of which it was decided to demolish the structure. In the XIII century, the Cathedral was replaced by a church built in the Gothic style and decorated rather modestly.
At the corners of the temple there are towers of different heights. Despite all subsequent rebuilds, over time, the external appearance of the building has not changed, and the trends of modernity have touched only the interior. So in 1678 the decoration of the cathedral and its altars were decorated in the Baroque style and did not change until almost the middle of the XIX century.
Nowadays the Cathedral is considered to be the main attraction of Bamberg, it is decorated with numerous statues and sculptures, which became a classic of medieval German art. The central portal features a composition called "The Last Judgement", created in the 12th century. In the eastern side of the cathedral is the portal "Adam's Gate", its creation was carried out in the XIII century by a sculptor from Reims, whose name is unknown.
The three-nave basilica is decorated with two covered galleries. In one of them is the famous equestrian statue of the "Bamberg Horseman" from 1230. Many historians have tried to establish the identity of the person who served as the prototype of this rider, but so far no one has succeeded. According to one version, this is the image of the Hungarian King Stephen. Emperor Henry II and his wife St Kunigunda, who is revered as the patroness of the city, are buried in the cathedral. The tomb monument of both spouses was made by the sculptor T. Riemenschneider in 1513. Pope Clement II, who was the local bishop, is also buried in the church.
The cathedral houses the Episcopal Museum, which houses a collection of sacred objects and imperial robes.
The cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
